ON THIS PAGE: You will find information about how many people learn they have this type of cancer each year and some general survival information. Remember, survival rates depend on several factors. To see other pages, use the menu on the side of your screen.

Small bowel cancer is an uncommon cancer that comprises about 1% to 2% of all gastrointestinal cancers.

This year, an estimated 9,160 adults (4,880 men and 4,280 women) in the United States will be diagnosed with small bowel cancer. It is estimated that 1,210 deaths (640 men and 570 women) from this disease will occur this year.

As explained in the Overview[3], there are several types of small bowel cancer, and survival rates are different for each. The five-year survival rate is the percentage of people who survive at least five years after the cancer is detected, excluding those who die from other diseases. The five-year survival rate for adenocarcinoma that has not spread outside the small intestine and can be surgically removed (stage I, see Stages and Grades[4] for more information) is 55%. Survival is worse if the cancer has spread outside the small intestine.

Cancer survival statistics should be interpreted with caution. These estimates are based on data from thousands of people with this type of cancer in the United States each year, but the actual risk for a particular individual may differ. It is not possible to tell a person how long he or she will live with small bowel cancer. Learn more about understanding statistics[5].